GeForce Graphic Cards...

[ZackStorm]

I am very computer saavy, but a little rusty when it comes to Video/Graphics cards, because it has been a few years since I was up-to-date. Here it goes...

Is there a reason why the 256MB FX5500 is cheaper than the 128MB FX5200, on eBay?

If I were to get a good graphics card that worked perfectly for FFXI, which would it be? I know, all of you have the same ATI/nVidia cards in mind, but the official FFXI website says that it only needs a 64MB card. So, what would be the least that I should get (a specific card)? What would be the better one, after that, etc.?

Just wantied to gather a little more information before I make a mistake.

[Keyura]

Re: GeForce Graphic Cards...

well, dunno why i'm posting here but i feel an unanswered question is worse than answering one when its solved already. the diff between the 5500 and the 5200 is the speed at which the graphics processor works, more than likely, and for FFXI, the difference between a 5500 and 5200 is not important. good luck

[ZeroRadius]

Re: GeForce Graphic Cards...

Do yourself a favour and just get the 6600 or 6600GT Much better card for around the same price Have fun!

[fastcart]

Re: GeForce Graphic Cards...

I second the motion for getting an Nvidia 6600 or 6600 gt. I, myself, upgraded from a 5600 (non-ultra) to a 6600 gt for less than 200 bucks. My pc was almost like brand new when I played ffxi. Get a 6600 GT if you can afford it. Otherwise get an ATI 9600 or 9600 Pro if your cramped on money. Maybe even an Nvidia 6200, but i wouldn't. Avoid the Nvidia 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700 and XT (Nvidia gimped) or ATI 9100, 9200, 9500 and the SE (ATI gimped) models at all costs.

Pricewatch listed 9600 Pro and XT (ATI high-end) for around $85-92, $130 for a 6600, and $160-180 for 6600 GT (but these are prolly OEM models). Please note that the 6600 GTs beat Nvidia 5900 ultras and ATI 9700/9800 XTs on like 90% of the benchmarks.

[Kurgan]

Re: GeForce Graphic Cards...

In terms of gaming, the FX 5xxx series in junk, in my opinion. Biggest nVidia blunder ever. ATI really won out in that generation when it comes to quality and performance. If you want a video card of that generation/price, get an ATI Radeon 9500/9600/9700/9800 Pro or XT and you'll actually get what you paid for. If you can ante up a little more cash and can go for a newer generation card, get a GeForce FX 6600/6800 GT. The prices on those are a little more modest lately and you can find some decent deals now that the GeForce 7800 is out. Don't touch the Radeon X-hundred series cards unless it's a X800 XT or X850 XT (which still cost a mint), or you'll be sorely disappointed.

I've been through a GeForce FX 5200 (junk), ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (love it), ATI Radeon X600 Pro (sucked), ATI Radeon X700 Pro (a little better than X600, but still sucks), and a GeForce 6800 GT (love it) while playing FFXI (and other games).

[fastcart]

Re: GeForce Graphic Cards...

Yeah, I would have suggested a 9700 or 9800 pro or XT too. But, if you can get/afford either of those, then you should just get a 6600 or 6600 GT because they are better than the 9700/9800 XT (tho not so much for the regular 6600). Check out tomshardware and anandtech pages to compare the benchmarks yourself.